Gasoline cap signal



June 23, 1953 J. H. MOYE cxxsoum: cm szcmu.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 19. 1950 FIG.2.

INVENTOR JAMES H. MOYE BY I June 23, 1953 J. H. MOYE cAsoLI NE CAP SIGNAL 3 Sheefs-Sheec 2 Filed Jan. 19, 1950 FIG.8.

FIG. 7.

INVENTOR" JAMES H. MOYE June 23, 1953 J. H. MQYE GASOLINE CAP SIGNAL 3 Sheets-Sheet *3 Filed Jan. 19, 1950 INVENTOR JAMES"H.MOYE

Patented June 23,1953

*GASOLINE CAP SIGNAL v I James H. Moye, Waycross, Ga. Application January 19, 1950,8erialNo. 139,344.

UNITED. STATES PATE 'OFFICEVRIH" The present invention relates to an audible sig-' nailing device for indicating'the level of a liquid being introduced into a tank, receptacle or similar container, and more particularly to a device of the character described wherein an audible signal satisfactory. Forexample, where the signal is incorporated with the gasoline closure cap, it is necessary to modify the closure cap radically to support the signalling unit. Manifestly, this ar= r'angement materially increases-the cost of manufacture of the cap with the attendant result that such units have not gone into widespread use. Furthermore, special adapters which include the signalling unit have been proposed for insertion into the filling opening, but this type of construction is not desirable because of the additional labor involved in attaching the adapter to the tank prior to the filling operation and the subsequent removal of the adapter after the filling operation. Accordingly, an important objectof my invention is to provide an audible signalling device for accomplishing the desired results which will overcome the above and other objectionable features now present in the art.

A further object of my invention is to provide a cap for vehicle gasoline tanks which also includes therewith an audible signalling device, the closure cap being of the usual type employed with gasoline tanks.

4 Claims. (01. 116-109) Yet a further object of my invention is to provide a combined closure cap and signal device wherein an airtight seal is efiected between the filling hose and the closure cap to thus insure proper functioning of the signalling device.

And yet another object of the invention is to provide an audible signalling device to indicate the rise in liquid level in a container or the like which may be detachably mounted within the filling pipe or spout of the container'and which is simple in constructional detail and capable-of being readily and inexpensivelymanufactured.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction, and in the arrangement and combination of spout.

parts to be claimed.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this application wherein like characters denote corresponding parts in the several views, and in which:

Figure. 1 is afragmental view in sideelevatio of a motor vehicle showing the usual closure cap and signalling device in position on the filling spout of the gas tank. r

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the cap and signalling unit, the cap being shown in the vertical position.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the combined cap and signalling unit with the filling hose in broken lines being inserted in theopening in the cap. v

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the cap shown in' Figure 3. s I

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows but being on a slightly enlarged scale.

Figure 6 is a view taken along the line 6+6 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows but being on a slightly enlarged scale.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of a modified form of closure cap wherein the signalling unit is carried within the-body of the cap.

Figure 8 is a bottom view of the cap shown in Figure 7. i I

Figure 9 is an elevational view, partly in sec tion, showing a signalling unitwhich is detachably mounted within the gas filling spout.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view of'the unit of Figure 9 provided with a housing for the reception of the dispensing nozzle.

Figurerll is a view in perspective of the signalling unit shown in Figure 9.

Figure 12 is an elevational view, partly in section, of another. form of signalling unitwhich may be detachably mounted within the filling Figure 13 is a sectional view taken along the line l3l3 of Figure 12 looking in the direction of the arrows. r

Figure 14 is a plan view of the unit shown in Figure 12.

Figure 15 is an elevational view, partly in section, of yet a further signalling unit detachably mounted within the filling spout.

Figure 16 is an elevational view of the device shown in Figure 15.

Figure 1'7 is a plan view of the unit shown, in Figures 15 and 16. i

hereinafter more fully set iorth and a Referring to Figure 1, I have shown a gasoline cap 10 having an annular body portion II, depending flange I 2, a conventional locking unit 13 secured within the cap, and a sealing gasket H. The locking unit 13 cooperates with the vehicle filling spout (not shown) to affix the cap ill to the filling spout.

An audible signal such as a whistle I is carried by the body II and may be formed as an integral part of the body or may be secured thereto by welding or other similar attaching methods. with the interior of the cap by means of a port or opening l6, as indicated in Figure 5.v The body II is also formed with an enlarged aperture I! into which a resilient grommet or other sealing device I8 is fitted. The opening. I! may be closed by a pivoted cap l9'and maintained in theclosed position through the medium of a helical spring 20 carried by the pivot pin of the cap. Of course other-types of closures may be employed so long as the closure will automatically seal the opening 11 when gasoline is not being introduced into the tank.

In operation, the closure I9 is moved away from the upper face of the grommet l8, and a filling hose denoted 21 is inserted through the opening and into the filling spout. Manifestly, the grommet [8 will insure an airtight seal between the filling hose and the cap and, of course, a similar seal will exist between the cap and the filling spout by virtue of the gasket M. When the valve on the filling nozzle is actuated'to introduce gasoline through the hose, the rising level of liquid will cause the air within the tank to escape through the opening I6 in the body I I, thereby actuating the whistle [5 to give an audible signal. This signal will continue to function until the air within the tank is substantially exhausted which, of course, will occur when the liquid level has risen to a point which completely fills the tank and a portion of the filling spout whereupon the audible signal ceases. Upon cessation of the signal, the attendant arrests the flow of gasoline, thereby preventing the loss of any gasoline. By virtue of this arrangement, it can be seen, therefore, that the tank will be substantially completely filled before the audible signal is cut off, which is most desirable.

It will be appreciated, therefore, that the simplicity of the signalling unit will enable it to be installed with conventional equipment without any material added cost, thereby making the unit readily available to the general public. Additionally, by reason of the seal which is provided between the filling hose and the cap, there is no danger of the audible signal I5 not functioning at all times, which makes the unit fool-proof.

In Figures '7 and 8, I have shown a substantially similar unit with the exception that the audible signal is carried within the body of the cap. In view of the similarity'of this construction to that shown in the preceding figures, thesame reference characters are applied, with the exception that they are primed. In this form, the aperture or opening l6 instead of communicating with the interior of the cap and the whistle is in communication with the interior of the whistle and the exterior of the cap, as shown in Figure '7. This form functions in the same manner as that shown in Figure 1 and hence no further elaboration is believed essential.

With regard to Figures 9 to 11 inclusive, I have indicated a signalling unit 30 which is adapted The whistle I5 is in communication to be detachably mounted within the mouth of a filling spout 3|. As best illustrated in Figure 11, the signal 30 comprises an annular body member 32 of any suitable material which is provided with an opening 33 in which is mounted a resilient grommet 34. A whistle or similar audible signal 35 is supported by the annular body 32 adjacent the opening 33 and communicates with a funnel-like element 35 supported below the annular member through an opening 31. An arcuate shield or the like 38 is secured to the lower face of the body 32 for insuring that the air which is forced upwardly during the filling operation will be diverted into the funnel 36, as will later be more fully described. In order to attach or mount the signal 30 within the fill- I ing spout .3], a pair of diametrically opposed arms 39 are attached to the body 32 adjacent its periphery, and each arm is offset, as at 40, and terminates in a hook-like element 4|. The body 32 is introduced into the filling spout by means of the arms 39 and, as shown in Figure 9, the body will rest on an internal flange 42 of the spout. The hooks 4| will engage the upper edge of the spout, thereby fastly supporting the signal within the spout. With this form it is not necessary to remove the signal unit, since the closure cap may be readily attached to the upper end of the filling spout.

When the tank is to be filled, the filling hose or nozzle is introduced through the opening 33 and the grommet 34 will effectively prevent the escape of air from the tank rather than through the funnel 36 and the whistle 35 which, of course,

F .will give the audible signal until the air supply is exhausted. The shield 38 willdirect the gas against the curve of the spout and will insure that the air moving upwardly during the filling process will be directed into the funnel 36.

It is also possible to insert an annular housing 43 within the opening 33 to receive the dispensing nozzle, and in this situation, a sealing ring 44 is carried by the upper edge of the housing to provide a leak-proof joint between the nozzle and the signalling unit.

A further form of unit which may be disposed Within the gasoline tank filling pipe is shown in Figures 12 to 14. and this unit comprises a frustoconical body portion 50 of a suitable resilient material. The frusto interior of the body 5!! supports an arcuate deflector plate 5!, and a whistle 52 is mounted in an aperture 53 in the wall of the body 50, as clearly shown in Figure 12. The upper end of the body carries a rubber gasket 54 in order to prevent the escape of air through the body when the filling hose is inserted through the body 50, as shown by the broken lines in Figure 12.

To locate or position the body within the spout, the body is compressed and the large end inserted within the spout and, upon release of pressure, the resiliency of the material will effect frictional engagement between the base of the body and the inner wall of the spout. The member 5! will direct the gas against the side of the filling spout into the tank and the upwardly moving air will be trapped between the member 5! and the wall of the body, thus insuring that the air will pass through the whistle 52 to insure a continuous audible signal until the air is substantially exhausted.

A relatively simple signalling unit is shown in Figures 15 to 1'? which can be cheaply manufactured and also employed within the filling spout of most motor vehicles. The signal com- 7 an arcuate mouth 62 and in the, case of a curved filling spout, the body may be curved, as at 63,

- to conform to the curvatureof the spout. Manifestly, the configuration of 'the body will depend upon the specific shape of the vfilling spout or pipe: I

'A wirespring. 64 is wrapped around-the body to the body. The spring 64 terminates in spaced arms 66 and by squeezing or compressing the arms 66 with the fingers, the device may be inserted within the spout and when pressure is released, the arms .65 will engage the spout and thereby secure the body in proper position; In this embodiment, I do not'efiect a seal between the hose and the tank, since substantially all 01. the upwardly moving air will be trapped in the arcuate mouth 62 and thus pass through the whistle 6| to efiect the audible signal. Of course as soon as the liquid level reaches the flared mouth 62, the signal .will be "out off.

strict conformity with the showing in'the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as Y 25' The invention is not to be confined to any such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim: 1. In a combined gasoline tank closure cap level. within the tank, a bodyv havingan opening extending therethrough, means on the body for locking the cap to the tank filling pipe, a

resilient grommet surrounding said opening to effect an artight seal between the filling hose and the cap when the hose is inserted in the opening, and a whistle carriedby the cap and in communication with the filling pipe immediately l0 1 60. adjacent the whistle 161 as shown at 65 and the convolutions may be conveniently anchored below the cap body whereby the upward movement of the air during the introduction of the liquid into the tank will cause the air to pass 4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the whistle is mounted internally of said cap, the whistle being in communication with the exterior of the cap.

JAMES H. MOYE.

References Cited initheffile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,257,656 Sculley '1 Sept. 30, 1941 2,327,193 Hammond Apr. 25, 1944 2,441,872 Di Renzo May 18, 1948 2,522,201 f Bald Sept.'12, 1950 

